Myanmar Floods Displace More Than 130,000

A family walks in a flooded street in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, on July 22, 2017. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

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By San Yamin Aung 26 July 2017

YANGON — More than 130, 000 people have been displaced by recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding across the country, with two deaths reported, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

One man drowned in the floods in Hkamti Township, Sagaing Region and a man in Chin State’s Tonzang Township was killed while crossing a stream, the ministry reported.

As of July 23, a total of 134,591 people from 33,233 households have been evacuated in Magwe, Sagaing, Bago, Irrawaddy and Naypyitaw regions and Rakhine, Mon and Karen states.

The floods have hit Magwe Region the worst, with 90,417 people displaced, followed by Sagaing division with 23,595 people forced from their homes.

The ministry reported that they have distributed flood relief aid in the affected areas, funds to those who lost their homes, and a “compassionate grant” of 300,000 kyats (US$218) to the families of the two men who died.